An abducted school principal in Oyo State has made a desperate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, urging them to abandon forceful rescue efforts and instead negotiate with her captors to save the lives of those still in captivity.
Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School in the Ahoro-Esinle area of Oriire Local Government Area, was among dozens of pupils and teachers abducted when gunmen attacked multiple schools in the Ogbomoso axis earlier this month.
The attackers, who reportedly arrived on motorcycles, struck three schools in quick succession, seizing students and staff and leaving the communities in shock. The violence claimed lives during the raid, including that of a school official and a motorcyclist.
In videos circulated online days after the incident, Alamu appeared visibly distressed as she pleaded for restraint from authorities, warning that attempts to secure their release through force were putting lives at greater risk.
“Please, I am here again to beg the government, President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, to help us and dialogue with these people. They should not use force,” she said. “The force they used yesterday has caused us so much pain. It has added to our problem.”
Her appeal comes amid reports that the kidnappers have threatened to execute another captive following recent rescue attempts.
“In fact, one of us has been picked, and they said they will kill him because the government tried to help us by force. We want you to call them and dialogue with them so that our lives will be saved,” she added.
In a second video message, the principal said the victims had spent nearly two weeks in harsh conditions, exposed to the elements and increasingly fearful as tensions with their captors escalate.
“Today is the 27th of May, 2026. It has been about 13 days since we were picked from work. And till now, we are still in the bush,” she said. “We are begging you, President Tinubu, Governor Seyi, and all other well-meaning Nigerians to please help us.”
She also called on professional bodies, including the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), to intervene and facilitate dialogue.
“You don’t need force. All you have to do is negotiate with them and release us. We are in the cold, under the sun and rain,” she said. “The children and all of us are here. Please, we are begging you. Don’t let them waste our lives. They are getting impatient and frustrated.”
As families wait anxiously for news, authorities have yet to confirm whether fresh contact has been established with the kidnappers or if negotiations are underway.
